The New South Wales Blues have lost Origin again, and Laurie Daley’s job appears to be on a string. With his contract up for renewal, it’s time to investigate options for the next coach of the Blues.
Laurie Daley
Daley’s contract with the NSWRL has expired, and after a single series win in five years it appears unlikely to be renewed.
He has said he won’t reveal a decision for a few weeks about whether he wants to continue in the role, but the Game 3 defeat at Suncorp Stadium was soul-crushing. Daley’s face said it all in the half and fulltime interviews. He was a defeated man who had no answers for Queensland’s dominance.
Andrew Johns
Johns has ruled out becoming the Blues coach, but that won’t stop us from listing him as an option. He is widely regarded to have one of the sharpest brains in rugby league, and it’s little surprise he has been taken on as an advisor at many clubs since his retirement.
In truth, becoming a Blues advisor is the most likely option, but who knows.
Peter Sterling
Why not? Sterling is already on the Blues staff in an advisory role. Why couldn’t he make the leap up to become the coach?
Sure, he has commitments with Channel Nine, and I have no knowledge of the contract situation there, but Sterling would be a good option for coach of the Blues. He was one of, if not the best player of his era and has a sharp football mind.
(Bidgee / Wikimedia Commons)
Brad Fittler
Fittler mightn’t have excelled as a club coach, but he has coached City Origin for the last six years and been in the Blues setup both as a player and part of the coaching staff.
He has been talked about as one of the leading options behind Johns, and while he would also have to leave Nine, he could well chase the top job.
Geoff Toovey
Toovey is an interesting option. The former Manly coach was in the wilderness until recently, when he took up a job at the Bradford Bulls in England.
Toovey played 16 games for the Blues and had a 58 per cent winning rate during his years at Manly. He is smart enough and certainly knows the Origin arena. So why not?
Craig Bellamy
Bellamy has the same roadblocks in the way as Stuart – he is an NRL coach. He also has no track record at Origin level, having never played there and losing all three series he spent in charge.
But, Bellamy is probably the best coach in the NRL right now. He constantly gets the best out of players who have been battling at other clubs – think Dale Finucane, Tim Glasby and Cheyse Blair for starters.
So, why does the rule of being a full-time coach have to exist when the best option may be coaching the Storm? The inside knowledge he could provide on the Queensland setup would also be another advantage.
Craig Fitzgibbon
This is a left-field option brought about by Anthony Minichiello, no doubt about it, but a valid one nonetheless. He has coached two games for Country, and while he didn’t win either of them, what he will be able to provide the Blues is a very different outlook on the game.
He was an honest player. Fitzgibbon made 300 appearances, but unlike Fittler or Johns, he wasn’t the star of the show. Sometimes, it’s the honest toilers who make the best coaches.
Phil Gould
Gould is the Blues’ best ever coach. That’s not an overstatement – he coached eight series, winning four of five in his first stint, before winning two and drawing the other in his second stint between 2002 and 2004.
Sure, Gould is a little bit older and deeply invested in his commentary, but the Blues could send an SOS call. It might be a pipe dream to think Gould will leave his current job, but if he has any interest in resurrecting the Blues, then it should be pursued.
Des Hasler
Despite the fact Hasler signed a two-year extension at Belmore earlier this season, some claim it’s looking increasingly likely he won’t be there in 2018. An ultimatum was supposedly handed down by the club’s board that he had to make the finals, and at this stage it looks about as likely as Gould leaving Channel Nine.
Hasler is a smart coach though. He has won premierships, made grand finals and played over 300 games, as well as 12 for both the Blues and Australia.
If he is unemployed in 2018, then he becomes an option for the Blues.
Danny Buderus
Buderus is one of the best ever Origin hookers. He played 21 matches for the Blues between 2001 and 2008 and had a staggering 220 appearances for the Knights.
He was consistently brilliant. He spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the Knights after he retired, becoming head coach for six games at the end of 2015.
Tommy Raudonikous
You can’t doubt the Origin passion of Raudonikous. He played in the inaugural State of Origin game in 1980, had represented New South Wales for years before that and captained his country.
He has also coached the Blues before – in 1997 and 1998. More recently, he went to town on the Blues after Game 3.
“Bloody disgraceful NSW, reserve grade performance. The whole 17 players, hopeless,” he said.
“You’ve got to have that hate element, otherwise they are going to kick your backsides. Happens every year.”
He then declared he was open to taking Laurie’s job.
“I’ll even do the job. I have coached State of Origin, I won one out of two series, but I’ll tell you what, I got the best out of my players. he said.
“Whoever coaches NSW next season, for god’s sake, get up here to Queensland and find out what passion is, because we have not got it in NSW at the moment, or the last 12 years.”
Anthony Mundine
Mundine put his hat in the ring, but… nah.
Roarers, let us know on the form below who should be the next coach of the Blues and we will have the answer on Thursday.
Gary
Guest
Fact is that if Cameron Smith, Lockyer, Thurston, Slater and Cronk were NSW eligible they wouldn't have been selected at the beginning of their careers. Yet NSW is too blind to see that their greatness was nurtured and developed over time and by many. It's easier to complain about their greatness (QLD) than to realise and admit that even if we (NSW) had them (Smith and Co. ) we wouldn't have been able to nurture them the way that QLD has. Now as these greats soon are to retire, they will become the next generation of ex players who will guide the next generation of players and so forth and so on. Meanwhile the cannibalisation within the NSW set up continues year after year
Gary
Guest
QLD pick players based on the character of the individual. NSW turn a blind eye to poor character based on body shape, potential and a host of influences from inside and outside of the NSW setup. Everybody goes on and on about the QLD spine being the best ever assembled -it's relentless. But the fact is that this special 'spine' was assembled by QLD not NSW. NSW has poor talent identification and poor process. QLD on the other hand has a whole group of ex players who instinctively know when to get involved and when to back away. To a man they know when to challenge the form of the squad and the individuals publicly or privately. When to show support, publicly or privately. This spine was assembled and developed by a QLD family of past and present players and coaches. Just take look at the footage in the sheds and it's a cast of thousands- and they all bleed maroon.
Bluey
Guest
Mine too but you're right he won't. He has now turned the job down twice, I wonder if a Qlder would turn their back on Qld in their greatest hour of need... I think not! Gould doesn't want a blemish on his coaching record and is waiting for the Qld spine to all retire before he comes out to coach the Blues again.
John
Guest
you mean re-sign Daley
James T
Guest
First choice would be gus but I don't think he'd do it. To be honest if he's available I would think des would do a good job, but Freddy is the high risk/reward combo. Des is the safe option but I think Fittler may have the creativity to open up qld. Most importantly I believe Daley to be too good a person to hold his players accountable for underperformance, this needs to be addressed
James T
Guest
That spine doesn't matter, what nsw need is a trainer following Fifita and woods around with a cattle prod
Paul Chapman
Guest
Any Disney character would do.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
I have to agree with others (looking at you Scott Woodward) that the Blues were well prepared, at least early in the series. But Daley made some key errors. 1. Selection - Chose 4 edge back-rowers. Should've made the hard call and swapped either Frizell or Graham for a mid. - Selected Mitchell Pearce - Selected a backline with too many playing out of position, which showed defensively (esp. Hayne and Fergo) 2. Tactics / strategy - Not telling the team to run at Thurston when it was clear they were too stupid to figure it out themselves - Inter-changing out Klemmer for Woods when NSW had the ascendancy in game 3.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
matth He has taken on the team with the greatest spine ever and won 6 and lost 9.
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Easy question if Daley quits - Freddy as head coach and Joey and Fitzy as assistants and Gus as Consultant/Advisor.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Someone with coaching experience at the NRL level, who therefore knows how to manage players, manage their egos, develop a game plan
Wild Eagle
Guest
Probably doesn't matter that much, when NSW have the Australian hooker, half , five eight and fullback in the team the coach will magically appear to be something special. Just ask big Mal who had a drab spell as an NRL coach. I nominate Bozo to coach NSW.
Big Daddy
Guest
If they resign Daley for next year the NSW hierarchy do not have a clue. I know Laurie Daley is passionate and probably is a really nice guy but at this level there is no room for nice guys. They punted Bellamy because he didn't win a series after 3 goes and he is probably the best coach in NRL. Time to stop appointing players who are legends who have no coaching experience. Get some one who knows what they are doing.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
Dean Pay
matth
Guest
Interesting that you use the last four games as your sample size in gauging Daley's success. How does it look over the 5 seasons? I actually agree that Daley has not been holding back this team in the slightest, but I also think after five years it is time for some fresh ideas. Toovey, Pay or Cartwright for mine.
steveng
Roar Rookie
As an addendum, NSW are a ‘Work in Progress’ with more work need before any progress is established and Phil Gould would be the perfect man to achieve all that and what is needed for this job. As Daley doesn't look like doing any of the above
steveng
Roar Rookie
For me, Phil Gould would be the most appropriate and the most suitable coach, for this undisiplined NSW team. He would bring back; passion, discipline and commitment to this side that has been a battered and disorganised rabble for so long. NSW need a man with Phil's attention to detail, attitude and discipline at the helm, would be invaluable and its what NSW need, full stop!!! And Phil Gould, could achieve all of that!!!
The Spectator
Guest
Can't ever see Gus coming back, he is too protective of his coaching record as is. Bellamy won't while at the Storm so may e the next coaching change over and how about the media personalities, bag the crap out of the team but nope won't coach or help, just bag.
Nostradamus
Guest
1 Win from 5 series is not good enough. NSW has a losing culture and we need to start fresh again next year.
Charles NSW
Guest
Every time NSW have won under Daley QLD were not at their best! We all know it and it is time for Daley and his friends to get out of the way and let someone else do the job.